In the first year on the job, a college president may feel pressured to put out a glossy five-year-plan or begin an ambitious capital campaign. But a new report by the Aspen Institute's Task Force on the Future of the Col-lege Presidency lays out a model for what a productive first year should look like-and it doesn't mention either of those items. Instead the report, released Monday after an 18-month study conducted by a panel of 35 college and university presidents, recommends spending meal times in the dining hall and planning a vacation. The report's authors say, the role of president has never been more complex: Budgets have become more strained, competi-tion for students has increased, student populations have diversified, and pressure to ensure students get jobs has grown. The report said that new college and university presidents need to be better prepared on Day 1.

UMD Right Now, by Katie Lawson and Mike Tetuan

UMD's School of Public Policy and its Do Good Institute, along with TIAA, a leading financial services provider, have launched the TIAA Nonprofit Leadership Fellows Program to shape the next generation of nonprofit leaders. TIAA and the School of Public Policy's Do Good Institute are building a broad multi-year collaboration that will include three core areas: launching the TIAA Nonprofit Leadership Fellows Program, producing research and thought leadership, and tapping into TIAA's nonprofit and financial expertise to mentor students who are involved in Maryland's Do Good Campus initia-tives. A cornerstone of this collaboration is the new two-year TIAA Nonprofit Leadership Fellows Program for young professionals who are pursuing a Master of Public Policy degree with a specializing in nonprofit management and leadership. The first cohort of five fellows will begin next fall.     

Saint Peter's University, by Staff Writers

Raymond T. Butkus, lecturer of business administration, coached two teams that placed first and second in the Town & Gown Business Consulting Program competition. A collaborative effort developed by the School of Business at Saint Peter's University and the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce, the event is a compe-tition between 75 senior business students enrolled in the program where teams brainstorm solutions to local businesses. Overall, the experience proved to be exhilarating and offered real-world experience. "You learn how to handle a client and you try to understand their needs from an outside point of view," said Selena Guzma, part of the team that worked with Morlees, a shoe company. Company owners also benefited from the experience. One business owner said the students were patient and they came up with marketing solutions that she had not thought of.    

Globe and Mail, by Meric Gertler

Daily News, by Staff Writers

McMaster is partnering with the City of Hamilton as well as Mohawk College and Redeemer College to launch CityLAB, an innovation hub where students, city staff and community stakeholders will co-create solutions that support the city's strategic priorities. Following on a worldwide movement to create more meaningful learn-ing experiences to engage young people, CityLAB Ham-ilton will offer post-secondary students the chance to collaborate, design, launch and test real projects that address issues confronting Hamilton (e.g., climate change, healthy neighbourhoods, municipal excellence). "Every day McMaster students, faculty and staff work to make Hamilton a better and more vibrant city," says University President Patrick Deane. "By partnering with the City and our sister institutions, CityLAB provides students with opportunities to tackle real issues facing Hamiltonians and to work together towards a healthier, more inclusive and successful Hamilton for everyone." 

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